Leadership

Gary Perinar headshot

Gary Perinar

Executive Secretary-Treasurer

Gary Perinar is Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council, where he leads more than 52,000 union carpenters across Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and eastern Iowa. Mr. Perinar is a third-generation business representative of the union and a 43-year member of Carpenters Local 174, where he served his apprenticeship. At age 32, he became a full-time business representative and later an assistant to the president/EST. In addition to his election as Executive Secretary Treasurer in 2018, Mr. Perinar was twice elected as the second vice president of the Regional Council and has served as a delegate for 25 years, holding positions on various committees and boards, including the health and welfare and pension funds. Mr. Perinar is also an active civic leader and sits on the boards of both the Illinois Toll Highway Authority and the Chicago Federation of Labor. 

Jeff Isaacson headshot

Jeff Isaacson

President

Jeffrey Isaacson is President of the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council, and a fourth generation carpenter. He began his carpentry career in 1973 as a member of Local 58 in Chicago, and by 1992 he was elected the Local’s President. He worked for the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Apprentice Training Program from 1981-1996, when he joined the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters as First Vice President. In 2018, he was elected President, representing the interests of more than 52,000 union carpenters across Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Eastern Iowa.

Joel Pogose

Vice President

Joel Pogose is Vice President of the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council. Joel is a 26-year member of the union and serves as President of Carpenters Local 250. At 32, he became a full-time Organizer for the then-Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters and eventually worked his way up to become the Director of Organizing. In 2022, he was elected Vice President of the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council. He is active in several non-profit organizations, including Special Olympics Illinois.

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